AWmusic

Before I begin, I guess some people weren’t happy when I said the “longlist sucked” but hey, for some reason to me it felt lacking and I still feel that way. Anyway, while our site has covered most of these albums – a lot of them have not been checked out by me personally. It’s hard to say I listen to all my writer’s music but it generally doesn’t give an idea how good an artist is when I just listen to a few mp3s.

Instead of trying to review all the albums now (we can await the shortlist and start with the albums there), I figure for Canada’s Day (happy Canada’s day btw) I’ll just review singles widely available on artist’s myspace to see if any more of them will interest me (on a personal level). These reviews will be quick, because I can’t dwell on writing an essay when I’m supposed to be having fun on a holiday (sadly missing out on Harbourfront Centre shows since I’m still in no shape to go to any concerts). Again, it doesn’t give me any idea of how good an artist is but it’s the same way I’d go to approach checking out new music.

Here’s the Polaris Music Prize website if you want to check out the list for yourself.

Arkells – Jackson Square
MP3: Ballad of Hugo Chavez by Arkells
Rating: 2.75 out of 5
It’s well crafted but is it just me or is this not exactly the most creative or original work. Not sure I personally like them as much as Josh Greenblatt. I don’t expect the Arkells to be on the shortlist and is it just me or is their music seemingly so radio friendly? It doesn’t hurt the band that they are mentioned on The Edge every time I turn the radio on. John Lennon is a slightly better track.

Jill Barber Chances
Chances by Jill Barber
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
O, I’m in love! Time to put an album request in. She’s a really good singer, even though I know what to expect next, I’m highly anticipating it. I don’t think it’s wild/unique enough that would have many people flock it but still the song is still good. Simplicity at it’s finest.

Beast – S/T
Devil by Beast
Rating: 3.2.5 out of 5
Saw this band live. I sway more towards not liking them, then Jon Pinkus’s opinion of them. Is it unique yes? Does that make it good? No. They rocked live but I still wasn’t into their music then. The track isn’t bad but it just doesn’t please on the enjoyable/sing along factor. I don’t feel find this trippy or particularly complex.

Bell Orchestre – As Seen Through Windows
Elephants by Bell Orchestre
Rating: 3 out of 5
Song starts with siren like vocals. You’d think it was so some sort of “Sleep to sounds by the sea” compilation. I have to start to think, 8 minutes – can I really enjoy this if I’m not sure 2 minutes in? I feel like it’s hard to knock a Orchestra but at some point you have to say this isn’t for you. I got bored 4 minutes in despite some things I liked. Unique but laborious to listen to. Pay off doesn’t come until 6 minutes in and reverts back to being soft and boring.

Bison B.C. – Quiet Earth
Dark Towers by Bison B.C.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
High paced to start, just like you’d expect out of heavy metal. However, it starts off pretty derivative (for metal for the first 1:30. It starts changing tempos and gets much better. Still as far as metal goes, this song is pretty derivative and while it does have the energy – it doesn’t excite me as a non-metal fan.

Bruce Peninsula – A Mountain Is A Mouth
Steamroller by Bruce Peninsula
Rating: 5 out of 5
Been listening to this song for the whole year. Not really fair to the other songs here but it amazes everytime I listen to it.

Cœur De Pirate – S/T
Comme Des Enfants by Coeur De Pirate
Rating: 4.25 out of 5
Ooh, something beautiful sung in French. My french sucks but Beatrice Martin’s vocals are fucking great (pardon my French . Take this rating with a grain of salt, understanding lyrics is pretty important and I dig the song quite a bit.

Leonard Cohen – Live in London
I’ll spare the review, he’s great but shouldn’t be on the list for other obvious reasons. Live and not in Canada sigh.

D-Sisive – Let The Children Die
Like This f. Guilty Simpson by D-Sisive
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Had a chance to listen to this before. I passed. Wasn’t a big fan of it but not a bad track.

Elephant Stone – The Seven Seas
Bombs Bomb Away by Elephant Stone
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Nothing here shows me they were more deserving to be on the longlist. Alas, another Montreal artist. The song is decent but it’s pop and people are always against straight forward pop tracks on the Polaris prize. Considering what was left off the list….probably shouldn’t be here.

Elliott Brood – Mountain Meadows
Write It Down All For You by Elliott Brood
Rating: 3.75 out of 5
I like it, rough vocals mixed in with solid acoustics and “hey hey”. Found it enjoyable even though I’m tired from listening to all this music now.

Fucked Up – The Chemistry of Common Life
Looking for God by Fucked Up
Rating: 4.75 out of 5
I wonder what I would’ve scored the album if giving it a full listen. We had a mixed review up but it seems everyone I talked to thought it was excellent. The songs I’ve heard were superb.

Great Lake Swimmers – Lost Channels
Pulling On A Line by Great Lake Swimmers
Rating: 4 out of 5
Good track.
We were supposed to review Lost Channels but I guess I’ll have to ask Carmen if she’s still interested or I may pick up this one.

Handsome Furs – Face Control
Legal Tender by Handsome Furs
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
I was a big fan of the album so no surprise I love this song.

I’ve done 14 out of 40 so far. I’ll make this a 3 parter or I’ll go insane. Catch Part 2 tomorrow or Friday.

Tags: feature, mp3